Morning sunlight bathed the cozy inn's dining hall in golden light, pouring through the arched windows and catching in the steam rising from fresh tea, buttered toast, and warm cinnamon rolls. The long wooden table was stacked high with a feast that could rival any noble's banquet: golden hashbrowns, spiced soup, grilled mushrooms, fresh fruit, and a fragrant herbal salad.
At the head of the table, Noah sat, wearing a loose white shirt and black trousers, hair still slightly damp from a quick wash. He looked fresh… but not prepared.
Scarlett sat beside him, close enough for her shoulder to brush against his. She gracefully reached across him to pour tea, her lips curling into a satisfied smile every time her fingers accidentally touched his. Lyra, on his other side, was calmly peeling a pear, her expression unreadable, but her leg casually resting against Noah's under the table betrayed her comfort and quiet possessiveness.
And then there was Layla—seated squarely on Noah's lap.
She was wearing a delicate black and lavender dress, her long hair tied loosely in a side braid. She leaned back against him like it was her rightful throne and popped a small piece of toast into his mouth with a playful smile.
"Say ah~" she cooed.
"Layla—!" Noah tried to protest, mouth full.
"Shhh. You trained so hard, you deserve pampering." She picked up a fruit slice next. "Eat your grapes, sweetheart."
"I have hands, you know…" he mumbled, cheeks tinged pink.
"Not while I'm here," she replied sweetly, giving him a smug wink. "You're on lap-duty."
Scarlett giggled softly. "Don't fight it, Noah. Just accept your fate."
"Indeed," Lyra said, still calmly slicing fruit. "Resistance is futile."
Noah buried his face in one hand while chewing. "Why does it feel like I've lost a battle I didn't know I was fighting?"
Olivia stood frozen near the door, her tray untouched in her hands.
She hadn't expected… this.
She had thought maybe they would sit together, laugh, talk about plans. Instead, she walked in to see Layla on top of him again, feeding him with all the smugness of a cat that had claimed her favorite pillow. Scarlett and Lyra flanked him like guardian angels—or more like two queens at a royal banquet, quietly claiming their own space.
"They're so close to him…"
Her heart twisted unexpectedly.
"Why do I feel this way? I'm the Saintess. I shouldn't…"
She looked away quickly, placing her tray down at the end of the table, away from them. But her ears still caught their every word. Her emerald eyes drifted toward him when she thought no one was looking.
Noah laughed lightly as Layla dabbed his lips with a napkin. It was rare—to see him so relaxed, so alive. His crimson eyes held warmth, his smile had a quiet strength now. Gone was the boy with blocked mana veins and uncertainty in his heart. He had changed. Grown. Shaped by pain, fire, and resolve.
"He's not just strong… he's kind. Brave. And they… they get to stay by his side."
Her chest tightened.
"They get to see this side of him every day. Wake up with him. Train with him. Smile with him. And I…"
She gripped her spoon too tightly, her breakfast still untouched.
"Hey, Olivia~" Layla's voice rang across the table with a sing-song tone. "Why so quiet this morning?"
Olivia blinked. "I'm… just tired."
"Jealousy is a type of fatigue," Layla replied sweetly, tilting her head. "Are you feeling... a little green, Saintess?"
Scarlett leaned in with a soft chuckle. "You keep glancing this way."
Lyra nodded slowly. "Statistically, her glances have increased by 46% since entering the room."
Olivia blushed slightly, setting down her spoon. "I am not jealous."
"Oh?" Layla smirked. "So, if I kiss him now, you won't flinch?"
"Layla—!" Noah coughed.
"Hypothetically," Layla added, ever so innocent.
Olivia cleared her throat. "You do whatever you want. I don't care."
Why did that sound so unconvincing…? Olivia thought to herself.
Layla gave a mischievous grin. "Aww, you're adorable when you lie."
Scarlett, always the gentle one, gave Olivia a kind look. "There's nothing wrong with caring, Olivia. Even Saintesses are allowed to feel things."
Olivia looked down at her plate and sighed.
"Maybe they're right. Maybe I do care… more than I should."
"But why him?"
She didn't have the answer.
Was it his strength? No—it wasn't that. It was the way he stood up for others even when he had nothing. The way he pushed through pain with nothing but sheer will. The way he held the weight of the world on his back, and still smiled at others as if he bore none of it.
He wasn't divine.
He was real.
And that made him dangerous… especially to her heart.
"You leaving today?" Noah asked gently, finally noticing the mood shift.
Olivia glanced at him and gave a nod. "Yes. I'll return to the Church and deliver the report."
"I'll miss having you around," he said honestly.
Her heart skipped.
"T-Thank you. I'll… I'll return soon."
"I'll be waiting," he replied, with a smile that almost melted her defenses.
Layla leaned into his ear and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "You're such a heartbreaker, darling. Poor Olivia might cry on her way back."
"Layla!" Olivia snapped, her face red.
"Kidding~" Layla sang. "Mostly."
Noah chuckled. "Let's just eat before this turns into a battlefield."
They returned to their food, laughter filling the room again.
But as Olivia quietly chewed her breakfast, her heart still waged its own silent war.
-To be continued...